The King of the Golden River
John Ruskin. Richard Doyle, illustrator. The King of the Golden River, or the Black Brothers: A Legend of Stiria (Little Jacket Series). Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1889. Reprint edition. Small octavo. 68pp + 4pp ads. Illustrated with vignette title and drawings by Richard Doyle. Publisher’s red decorative cloth, stamped in gilt to spine and front cover.
Famed art critic John Ruskin wrote the story in 1841 for private amusement, as a gift for his first wife. As the very first fantasy-fairy story expressly written for children, its progeny include the George MacDonald tales, among others. The present edition is a later printing of the American first, originally issued in 1860 and delightfully illustrated by Doyle.
Light sunning to spine; spine and boards gently rubbed, bumped, and soiled; small closed tear to first blank; with paperclip impression, stained to prelims; minor toning throughout; bookseller ticket to front pastedown. Very good. Item #3139Price: $150.00